Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
11/16/2022
Outward AppearanceWednesday Matters- November 16, 2022
Everyday Costumes I have a hobby or perhaps my husband would call it a problem. I like to self-decorate or costume myself with outfits and in the past this hobby has resulted in me going into credit card debt. A few years ago, before shopping at the Mall of America I wrote in my journal a prayer; “Jesus than You for You. Thanks for things too. Today help me with spending. I ask for a coat that just ‘fits’ me. Help. Amen.” I went to a consignment store and found a designer coat that had just gone on half price. Then I walked into Target and found a purple skirt that had my name on it. I stayed within my budget. What’s always so crazy cool too is to see that what I’ve read in the Bible on the same day fits too; “Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.” All glory is His. What matters to us matters to God too. But honestly, it’s His presence more than His presents I want…everyday. 11/15/2022
God’s WaysTuesday Matters- November 15, 2022
Everyday His Thoughts We can’t know the mind of God for as Isaiah 55:8 says; “His thoughts are nothing like our thoughts.” But we can know the heart of God and hope in His promises. It should be obvious to us that His ways are past finding out. He wouldn't be a very big God if we could fully comprehend Him with our finite minds. Author Walter Wangerin wrote in his book, “The Ragman” concerning some things that are hard to understand, "We chirp theories because we can't stand the silence." I guess that is how it is when we try to fully understand the purposes of suffering. It is better to admit, "We don't understand, but we believe that God loves us and, yes, that 'our Redeemer Lives'." Someone has suggested that in the margins beside many of our life's experiences is simply written: "to be explained later." Success for each day is not waiting for an answer to our whys but walking in the hope with a way from Him…everyday. 11/14/2022
Love you as God doesMonday Matters-November 14, 2022
Everyday Self-Recovery As a recovering self-addict, I try and focus on what God needs to change in me rather than asking Him to change everyone else and my circumstances that bother me. You see the self-involved person is always seeking a way to avoid pain whereas the God involved person embraces pain and they go to the God of the Bible to guide them through life. 1 Peter 5:10 really offers us hope and encouragement because it tells us that after we’ve suffered a little while, the God of all grace Who imparts all blessings and favor, Who has called us to His eternal glory will complete and make us what we ought to be. He’ll ground us securely, and strengthen, and settle us. Thanking God for difficult circumstances and praising Him in the pain can be hard but in being obedient to His Word I have thanked Him for the hard stuff and it’s amazing the peace and blessings I have from doing so. God is always good even when circumstances aren’t…everyday. 11/11/2022
The Greatest LoveFriday Matters- November 11, 2022
Everyday In Love I believe God is crazy in love with us because He’s thinking about us all the time and wants nothing but the best for us! But I had someone write who asked; “Why does using the phrase ‘in love’ when referring to Jesus’ love for us seem a little inappropriate to me? ‘In love’ always makes me think of the kind of infatuation feelings you get in Jr. High or something.” And another friend on Facebook responded, "It's uncomfortable because we only have one word for all three kinds of love which in the Greek is explained clearly; Eros (romantic), Phileos (brotherly love) and Agape (Godly love). God has the purest kind of love for us-Agape. It's interesting too that true love between a husband and wife doesn't really happen if they are stuck in Eros- they have to expand to the other two higher levels to really love each other unconditionally. God doesn’t love us romantically, but He is totally crazy in love with us …everyday. 11/10/2022
Peace in StormsThursday Matters- November 10, 2022
Everyday Storms “It seems in life when it rains it pours, and in the downpour, I can no longer see my blessings. That’s what a listener Becky wrote. I get it. “I feel like the disciples who were overcome with fear and concentrated on the storm instead of Jesus. I don't plan on giving up, but it sure seems like a daily struggle to hang on.” I’m sure we’ve all been in a storm we thought would never let up. We’ve all been in the middle. In Mark 4:35 Jesus told the disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side” and yep, they got to the other side. Sometimes we can’t SEE how we will get there but by FAITH we can know and trust that God will bring us through. We need to hang on with our faith and not our fear. And even though our storm may be of hurricane proportions like the disciples had, Jesus is right there with us, fully aware, fully awake and ready to bring us through…everyday. 11/9/2022
Jesus Did What?Wednesday Matters- November 9, 2022
Everyday WWJD I hear all the time “What would Jesus do?” but really the question should be: “What DID Jesus do? Jesus followed and obeyed the Father even on to death because it was the one way, He could really express the GREAT LOVE He had and has for us. So rather than ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” I want to follow the example of what Jesus did. I want to use the gifts He’s given me whether it’s in finances or speaking, or just sitting with someone. It’s following Galatians 5:16 and letting the Holy Spirit guide me. Then I ask; “God what do you want me to with this day You’ve given me?” The sin in me wants to satisfy my flesh and that’s most likely to happen when I’m super tired and people are super irritating and so I’ll lash out in hurt and anger because I’ve been hurt. Sigh. Help. BUT God is aware of our weaknesses and need for Him. “Breathe on me Holy Spirit,” that’s a frequent pray of mine…mostly said…everyday. 11/8/2022
God Completely LovesTuesday Matters- November 8, 2022
Everyday Love Exposed The message of Jesus is to LOVE and forgive others, which you can only do once you have seen your bad self and accepted His forgiveness. There’s this past so many people carry around that’s covered because it’s filled with shame from harming ourselves through “cutting,” an eating disorders, an affair, alcohol, abuse suffered, it’s all yuck. I read that 80% of memories are shame based. People carry shame because they think once they’re fully exposed or discovered they won’t ever be accepted or loved. But when their identity is solid, they’re stable. Psalm 91:1 is my 911 verse. It reads; “She who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will remain stable.” It means that when I can stand still and let myself be exposed. God covers me, my shame, my fear and replaces all that I’m not with all that He is. God can see the real you and He loves you as you are no matter what…everyday. 11/7/2022
Fierce LoveMonday Matters-November 7, 2022
Everyday Fervent Love The enemy will never leave us alone, but we don’t have to let him bother us. That means we don’t react to unkind or bad behavior of others by hitting back or seeking revenge. Love is our highest calling, but some people are so annoying who continue with bad behavior with no sign or willingness to change. Well, it’s not love to ignore that behavior either. 1 Peter 4:8 tells us to above all things have intense love--to have a “fervent love” for one another. The Greek verb form of “fervent” when translated means "to be hot, to boil." For eight of my growing-up years my mom cooked and baked food on an old-fashioned blue enamel cook stove and even a fly knew not to land on the stove when it was hot. When our love is “HOT” or “boiling over” for those around us, it is also too hot for the devil to destroy. To fervently love someone means we are intent on giving out love to others from the love God’s given us…everyday. 11/4/2022
God IS always “Here”Friday Matters- November 4, 2022
Everyday Deep Waters “I honestly don’t think I can make it through another day. I just don’t.” Ever feel like that? Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. So the storm in your life is of hurricane proportions because maybe its finances, or failed marriage. You FEEL overwhelmed, like you might drown. Perhaps you have a burning pain in your heart because your child is addicted to drugs or maybe it’s an aging parent who can’t remember who you are. You may FEEL consumed by these fiery trials. Your feelings are valid. BUT the truth is you'll come through. He sees. He knows. He cares. He speaks a promise from Isaiah 43:2, "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." And perhaps what you’re going through is not about breaking you but about the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. God often uses bad things for a later good…everyday. 11/3/2022
Peaceful DecisionsThursday Matters- November 3, 2022
Everyday Umpire of Peace The umpire in a ball game decides if a player is “in” or “out.” Peace is to be the umpire that decides if something in our lives should be in or out! Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. It makes total sense especially if you look at the Bible in Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace from Christ act as umpire in your hearts deciding and settling all questions that come into your mind.” I mean really do we receive the peace He has to give, or do we count on our feelings? When the answer is “no” I KNOW because I don’t have peace. “Do you think I should take this additional job?” was the question asked me by a young mom. Things were tight financially, but the long hours would affect her family. My first thought was, “Yes,” But later, I thought, “Would this choice bring peace?” Rhonda didn’t have peace. She refused the job and almost immediately help came in a way she never expected. God is so good…everyday. |
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